Navigating the tightrope between high standards and burnout can be a daunting task. This article demystifies the balance by presenting practical tips rooted in expert advice, designed to help reframe relentless perfectionism and prioritize well-being. Discover how to embrace imperfection, practice self-compassion, and set sustainable goals for a healthier, more fulfilling approach to work and life.

  • Reframe Perfectionism with 80% Rule
  • Use Kindness to Combat Perfectionism
  • Challenge Perfectionism with Self-Compassion
  • Embrace Holistic Self-Care to Avoid Burnout
  • Delegate Strategically to Manage Perfectionism
  • Heal Inner Child to Overcome Perfectionism
  • Value Progress Over Perfection
  • Set Measurable Goals to Prevent Burnout

Reframe Perfectionism with 80% Rule

As a business owner, I can really relate to the perfectionism tendency. Since I was the creator and behind all of the development of the company, if it’s not “perfect” it can be frustrating. In my career, I have received two extremely helpful areas of advice I would like to share:

When I first started my career, I was doing food and nutrition work for a soy food company. We were working on a cooking demonstration, and developing recipes, handouts, and more. I made a mistake on one of the recipes, and that impacted the handouts that we had already printed. I was so upset with myself. However, my boss at the time took me aside and said, “Beryl, please do not be upset with yourself. I am not upset. In a day, if you get 80% correct, you have done a great job. You can aim for 100%, but if you get 80%, you have done enough.” That kindness and foresight was so helpful to me back then, and still is, to this day.

When I was working for a large consumer packaged goods company, I had a boss who had been with the organization his entire 40-year career. We were working on a food product recipe, and had gone through many iterations of design. One afternoon, after we had been analyzing the recipe (for what seemed like hours), my boss looked at me and said, “We are in analysis paralysis, and we have to move on. Let’s put this recipe in testing, and get feedback. We can always make final modifications before we go to market.” This advice also has stuck with me to this day.

Don’t be paralyzed by your tendency for perfectionism. Aim high, and do your best. Oftentimes, we hold ourselves to the highest standard. Life can be so much happier if we are at peace with the 80%.

Beryl KrinskyBeryl Krinsky
Founder & CEO, B.Komplete

Use Kindness to Combat Perfectionism

If you’re struggling with perfectionism, there are ways to leverage the kindness you already show others to unlock greater gentleness toward yourself. People expect levels of perfection from themselves that they would never dream of asking of their friends or loved ones. How harshly does your inner critic punish you for making a mistake? Next time you’re feeling like a failure or berating yourself for something you didn’t do well enough, ask yourself if you’d speak to a dear friend the way your inner voice is speaking to you. Try to catch those harsh statements when they appear in your mind, and revise them until they’re closer to the way you would respond to someone whom you love despite their imperfections.

Sofía EscuderoSofía Escudero
Psychotherapist, Sofía Escudero, LCSW

Challenge Perfectionism with Self-Compassion

As a trauma therapist, I have seen how perfectionism can quietly fuel chronic stress and lead to burnout, both in my clients and in my own life. Perfectionism often comes from a deep desire to do well, to be seen as competent, and sometimes to avoid criticism—but it can create a cycle of never feeling “good enough.” The hustle for worthiness is exhausting.

My approach to managing perfectionism starts with self-compassion and awareness, and I want to emphasize that this is a humble daily practice—not a one-and-done situation. I’ve learned to notice when perfectionistic thinking shows up—like harsh self-criticism, all-or-nothing thinking, or unrealistic expectations—and to gently challenge those thoughts. I often ask myself, “What would I say to a friend in this situation?” or “Is ‘good enough’ actually good enough right now?”

Another important strategy is intentionally setting boundaries with myself. I try to define what “done” looks like before I start a task, so I don’t endlessly tweak or overwork something. I also prioritize rest and breaks—because burnout thrives when we ignore our need for recovery.

To others struggling with perfectionism, I would say: Start by noticing and naming the pattern without judgment. Be curious about what perfectionism is trying to protect you from, and offer yourself compassion. Practice doing things “imperfectly on purpose” in small ways—like sending an email without re-reading it five times—and notice that you’re still safe, still worthy, even when things aren’t flawless.

Most of all, remember that you are more than what you produce or achieve. Your worth isn’t tied to perfection. Giving yourself permission to be human is one of the most powerful antidotes to burnout—and it’s a practice we return to again and again, with kindness.

Erena DiGonisErena DiGonis
Psychotherapist and Continuing Education Provider, EngagedMinds Continuing Education

Embrace Holistic Self-Care to Avoid Burnout

Burnout is a challenge I’ve faced both personally and professionally, and one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that burnout isn’t just about too much work—it’s a symptom of a deeper imbalance. For me, overcoming burnout meant embracing a more holistic approach to self-care, one that’s rooted in self-awareness and compassion rather than focusing on top-level practical solutions like time and workload management.

One of the key strategies I’ve implemented and now coach my clients on is to recalibrate and realign by pausing and truly listening to my body and mind. In the past, I would power through headaches, exhaustion, and multiple responsibilities, thinking that keeping on going is a sign of strength. But I learned that those signals are my body’s way of asking for rest and reflection. Instead of ignoring them, I began to ask myself, “What do I truly need right now?” It’s about curiosity over criticism—giving myself the space to check in with me, understand what’s causing the stress, and address it in a meaningful way.

Burnout isn’t just caused by overwork; it can come from perfectionism, people-pleasing, or the constant pursuit of unrealistic expectations. By realigning my mindset to embrace self-compassion and shifting my beliefs, I transformed the pressure to over-perform and started making choices that align with my values and core beliefs.

In my holistic wellness program, I focus on this recalibration, realignment, and revival—helping my clients reconnect with their authentic needs, values, and strengths. One tip I’d share with anyone facing burnout is to reassess what you’re striving for and where the pressure is coming from. Instead of chasing external goals or validation or avoiding rejection, shift your focus inward and really find out what is behind the drive. Sometimes, the answer isn’t about doing more or less but about doing things differently—and being kind to yourself. When you start with self-compassion, everything else can realign naturally.

Yana CarstensYana Carstens
Holistic Life & Wellness Coach, Realign and Thrive, LLC

Delegate Strategically to Manage Perfectionism

Perfectionists struggle with delegation more than anything else—because how are you supposed to hand something off when it needs to be done just right? And by just right, of course, I mean by your own meticulous, impossible-to-meet standards. The problem? If you don’t delegate, you end up drowning in work, stretching yourself too thin, and inevitably burning out.

To break free from this cycle, I started splitting my workload into three distinct categories:

1. The tasks I hate to do: These are the easiest to delegate because, quite frankly, I want them off my plate. The joy of never having to deal with them again far outweighs any concerns about perfection. And, if I’m honest, my expectations for these tasks tend to be lower. It’s not about achieving perfection—it’s about liberation.

2. The tasks I trust my partners with: These are tasks I know matter, but I’ve found the right people to handle them. These trusted partners understand my standards, they come as close as humanly possible to my perfectionism, and I can exhale knowing they’ve got it under control. Letting go in this category brings relief, not stress.

3. The tasks I love: Here’s where perfectionism clings the hardest. These are the things I should probably delegate but don’t—because I love doing them. I have a crystal-clear vision, sky-high expectations, and haven’t found anyone who executes them exactly the way I want. So, I keep them. And that’s okay. Because in freeing myself from the first two categories, I give myself permission to hold on to the work that fuels me.

Perfectionists don’t need to delegate everything—but they do need to make strategic choices. If you’re holding on to all your work because of perfectionism, you’re not running your business—you’re letting it run you. The key isn’t just letting go—it’s knowing what to let go of and why.

Sylvie Di GiustoSylvie Di Giusto
Keynote Speaker & Author | Helping Professionals Lead Better, Sell Faster, Persuade Instantly, Sylvie di Giusto

Heal Inner Child to Overcome Perfectionism

As an entrepreneur, digital creator, and author of spiritual healing books, I’ve learned that perfectionism is often rooted in deeper emotional patterns, many of which stem from childhood. Managing perfectionism isn’t just about productivity hacks—it’s about inner child healing and reprogramming the belief that my worth is tied to achievement.

Perfectionism often develops in childhood as a response to seeking validation, approval, or a sense of control. Many high achievers internalize the idea that they must “do everything right” to be loved or accepted. I used to push myself relentlessly, believing that if I just worked harder or made everything flawless, I’d finally feel “enough.” But chasing perfection is exhausting, and it can lead straight to burnout, self-doubt, and even creative paralysis.

My approach to overcoming this has been twofold: self-compassion and intentional boundaries. I remind myself that done is better than perfect and that growth comes from taking action, not from obsessing over details. I also check in with my inner child—if I’m feeling anxious about a project, I ask myself: “Why do I feel the need to prove myself?” Often, the pressure I put on myself has nothing to do with the present moment but is instead an old survival mechanism that no longer serves me.

For anyone struggling with perfectionism, my biggest advice is to be kind to yourself and challenge the belief that you must be perfect to be valuable. Ask yourself: Where did this pressure start? If you can trace it back, you can begin to reframe it. Allow yourself to create, make mistakes, and rest without guilt. Perfection is an illusion, but progress is real—and the more you embrace your imperfect self, the more freedom and fulfillment you’ll find in your work and life.

Susye Weng-ReederSusye Weng-Reeder
CEO | Google Verified Public Figure | Author | Creator, Susye Weng-Reeder, LLC

Value Progress Over Perfection

Perfectionism can be a powerful motivator, but it often leads to burnout and stalled progress. The key isn’t eliminating perfectionism—it’s reframing it into a mindset that values progress over flawlessness.

One approach that has helped me is the 80% Rule: If something is 80% great and functional, launch it. Early in my career, I delayed projects waiting for the “perfect” version, only to realize that perfectionism was just disguised procrastination. Once I focused on execution—getting real feedback instead of endlessly tweaking—I saw better results and faster growth.

Another game-changer was working in focused sprints instead of grinding for hours. A 90-minute deep work session, followed by a full disengagement activity like a walk or workout, keeps energy levels high without burnout. Learning to delegate was also essential—if someone else can do it 80% as well, letting go is better than micromanaging.

The biggest shift? Seeing iteration as the path to excellence. The goal isn’t to launch something flawless—it’s to launch, learn, and refine. Perfectionism stalls progress, but momentum builds success.

Murray SeatonMurray Seaton
Founder and CEO of Hypervibe / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)

Set Measurable Goals to Prevent Burnout

Burnout is a challenge that many high achievers face at some point in their careers. I’ve experienced it both as an employee and as an entrepreneur, and over time, I’ve learned the importance of managing it proactively. One approach that has significantly helped me is setting both short-term and long-term milestones. At the start of each year, I take time to review my previous goals and reassess my aspirations for the coming year, balancing both personal and professional objectives. This process includes everything from career ambitions, to health and financial goals.

Breaking down life into smaller, measurable goals allows me to create achievable milestones throughout the year. I believe burnout often stems from striving for a high level of excellence and feeling overwhelmed by how far away that goal may seem. By setting incremental goals that can be accomplished sooner, you create moments to celebrate, rest, and reflect before moving forward. These waypoints offer a sense of progress and renewal, which has been crucial in helping me avoid burnout and stay motivated.

Jarrod MasonJarrod Mason
Founder, YouWho Digital